Habitat Data for the Gulf of California

There are a variety of habitats located within the Gulf of California ecoregion. In an effort to understand the data available, various sources were explored. This includes a coastline habitat classification system, the wetlands of importance as determined by the Ramsar List, mangrove polygons from SIMAR and CONABIO, and the area of different types of habitats within a 500km^2 area.

Global Coastline Fine Classification System (GCL_FCS30)

This high-resolution dataset classifies coastlines globally, and is cropped to the Gulf of California’s ecoregion. It splits the coastline into six distinct categories at 30-meter resolution. The interactive map shows how these different coastline types are distributed:

  • Artificial coastlines (purple): Human-built structures like ports and seawalls

  • Biogenic coastlines (blue): Natural formations including mangroves and marshes

  • Sandy coastlines (teal): Beach and dune environments

  • Muddy coastlines (green): Tidal flats and sediment-rich zones

  • Rocky coastlines (yellow-green): Cliff faces and bedrock shorelines

  • Estuary coastlines (yellow): Transition zones where rivers meet the sea

The map allows you to toggle between different coastline types to visualize their distribution throughout the Gulf. Zooming in on the interactive map will provide a better understanding of each coastline type’s spatial distribution.

While this map only shows the classification for 2020, the dataset also includes data for 2010 and 2015. Therefore, it is valuable for monitoring coastal changes, development impacts, and natural habitat distribution over time.

Citation

Zuo, J., Zhang, L., Xiao, J. et al. GCL_FCS30: a global coastline dataset with 30-m resolution and a fine classification system from 2010 to 2020. Sci Data 12, 129 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-04430-0

Data Download: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13943679

Habitat Extent and Distribution (dataMares)

This 2017 dataset from dataMares visualizes the distribution and extent of five critical marine and coastal habitats within 500km² areas throughout the Gulf of California:

  • Rocky reefs: Hard-bottom submarine habitats supporting diverse marine life

  • Mangroves: Coastal forests that serve as crucial nursery habitats

  • Sargassum: Floating brown algae creating habitat for numerous species

  • Coral reefs: Biodiverse underwater ecosystems built by colonial cnidarians

  • Seamounts: Underwater mountains that create hotspots of marine biodiversity

The interactive map uses circle markers, the size of which indicates the habitat area (in hectares). You can toggle between habitat types to see their distribution patterns throughout the Gulf. Despite its low resolution, this dataset still provides a good framework for understanding habitat extents throughout the entire Gulf.

Citation

Aburto-Oropeza, Octavio; Moreno-Baez, Marcia; Johnson, Andrew; Giron-Nava, Alfredo; Cisneros-Montemayor, Andres; Suarez, Alvin (2017). Mapping Ocean’s Wealth - Habitats extent. In dataMares: Ecosystem Dynamics. UC San Diego Library Digital Collections. https://doi.org/10.6075/J01N7Z9K

Contact Information: Octavio Aburto (maburto@ucsd.edu)

Data Download: Mapping Ocean’s Wealth - Habitats extent

Wetlands of Importance (Ramsar List)

This map displays wetland sites within the Gulf of California region that have been recognized for their international significance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. These wetlands have met strict criteria demonstrating their ecological, botanical, zoological, or hydrological importance. Each blue circle represents a designated Ramsar site, with the circle size corresponding to the wetland’s area in hectares. Clicking on a site reveals:

  • The official site name

  • Date of designation as a Ramsar wetland

  • Total protected area in hectares

These sites form part of an international network of protected wetlands recognized for both their biodiversity value and their ecological functions that sustain human communities.

Citation

The List of Wetlands of International Importance (the Ramsar List) download: https://www.ramsar.org/document/list-wetlands-international-importance-ramsar-list

Published: 14 April 2025

The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel. + 41 22 999 0170, e-mail

Mangrove Distribution

The below map shows the distribution of mangrove forests throughout the Gulf of California region based on data from the Sistema de Información y Análisis Marino Costero (SIMAR-Explorer) developed with CONABIO (the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity). The dark green polygons represent actual mangrove stands, showing:

  • Their geographic extent and distribution

  • Area coverage in hectares

  • Date of mapping/assessment

Mangroves serve as critical nursery habitat for fish, protect coastlines from erosion, sequester carbon, and support coastal livelihoods.

Citation

Sistema de Información y Análisis Marino Costero (SIMAR-Explorer) and National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO)

Links to download and explore: https://simar.conabio.gob.mx/explorer/

https://fmcn.org/en/proyectos/marine-and-coastal-monitoring

https://fmcn.org/es/noticia/distribucion-de-mangle-rojo-en-el-noroeste-de-mexico-y-la-peninsula-de-yucatan

Data ➤ Bases Cartográficas ➤ Mangrove Coverage ➤ Distribution of Mangroves in México for 2020 (CONABIO)